Community Hero
As part of #ASBAwarenessWeek, we’re highlighting those who are making a difference
to communities in Derbyshire.
The Supporting Communities charity has been nominated by our Immediate Justice and
Hotspot Policing Manager Becky Clough.
The charity takes their ‘ASB Bus’ to areas suggested by local police teams where young
people might be at a loose end each evening.
The bus has games, televisions and spaces for young people to speak to mentors
provided by the charity.
Becky Clough said: “The Supporting Communities team genuinely care about the young
people they work with and how they can improve their lives.
“The mentors speak to young people to establish what is around in that community, their
interests and if able they engage with local areas to set up activities like football clubs or
boxing.”
“We’ve been utilising this provision in our ASB hotspots, and the Mobile Youth Sessions
are proving a huge success.”
Director of Operations for the Charity, David Walsh said: “It’s a safe space for young
people, there’s lots of different games and activities to do on the bus.
“Once they get to know about us, what we do, we can offer out other services that we
deliver, which could be the 1-1 work, or they might be struggling in an educational
setting or a community setting, so we can offer that support and guidance.
“Rather than just parachute into communities, we want to work with young people,
gather their thoughts, feelings and insights so we can take that information back and
give it to local partners and say ‘this is what children are saying and what they want in
terms of local services.’”
The Mobile Youth Sessions are funded by the Derbyshire Police and Crime
Commissioner, to find out more visit their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/SupportingCommunitiesCharity/
Community Support
The initial referral highlighted conflicts within a particular housing estate, where residents frequently complained to their housing provider and police call-outs
Community Support Case Study 2
Supporting Communities staff were tasked with targeting an area experiencing high levels of anti-social behaviour (ASB). A serious arson offence committed by local young people had caused significant damage.